YHVH, please forgive me for not noticing, for not taking the time to investigate, for not connecting the dots. I want to serve you with all my heart. I want to have a pure walk, undefiled before you. This world is so filthy, and I didn’t see the mud puddle I was standing in. Thank you for your forgiveness, and please help me to teach others to follow your ways.

 

Today I want to talk about GMOs. Isn’t it so convenient that our world turns everything into an acronym so we don’t really think about what they stand for? I didn’t take the time to think about it like I should have. But I’m taking the time now. Thank you so much to those who shared info and verses, and I hope I can be helpful to those still learning.

What are GMOs?

I really liked this definition from NonGMO Project.

GMOs, or “genetically modified organisms,” are plants or animals created through the gene splicing techniques of biotechnology (also called genetic engineering, or GE). This experimental technology merges DNA from different species, creating unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacterial and viral genes that cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding.

In other words, scientists have messed with living organisms at the cellular level. There have been many instances of cross breeding in the past. We have lots of breeds of dogs. We have lots of varieties of apples. We can choose from different kinds of lettuce. GMO is creating organisms that could not be found in nature.

What does Torah say?

And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
(Gen 1:11-12)

Over and over in Genesis chapter 1, we see the words, “after his kind.” YHVH knew that there would be various breeds of dogs and different varieties of apples, and that’s ok. They are still dogs and apples. They have remained within their kind. They can produce more dogs and apples.

But GMO has mixed plants and animals from different kinds to try to improve what YHVH already got right. They have violated the “law of kinds,” as we could call it. These “creations” are unstable and sterile. I use the word “creation” very loosely here, because only the GOD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob can create.

These GMOs no longer qualify as food, for us or animals. We were given plants and animals to eat that remained within their kind and could reproduce. The definition of GMO at the top also includes animals, so we must at least entertain the thought that some of the animals they are mixing in their DNA brews are not even kosher. (Please share documentation if you know of any instances of this.)

Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee.
(Lev 19:19)

 

In Leviticus, we see the law of mixed seed. We don’t let our animals breed with a different kind, and we don’t sow our fields with mixed seed. I don’t claim to understand all the implications of this, but I can plainly see that GMOs are violating everything in this verse. And the people in charge don’t care.

But we must care. We must choose to obey YHVH, even if it costs us something. In this case, it is likely to cost us more money, more hassle, and probably a lot more time in the kitchen. At least it’s not costing us our lives. This will be a struggle for me. We have six children to feed, and prices matter when you are trying to fill bellies. But we have to do the right thing. YHVH wants to return and find His people faithful.

You may have noticed that I didn’t address health in this article. I was having a difficult time tracking down specific health problems caused by GMOs. And for me, it’s not about health at this point, it’s about obedience.

Where do I start?

Thus far, I have been able to determine that the following foods should not be consumed because the odds are extremely high that they are GMO.

• alfafa
• canola
• corn
• cotton
• papaya
• soy
• sugar beets
• zucchini and summer squash

There are other foods that there is concern over as well. I think an obvious solution is to grow as much as we can in a home garden with heirloom seeds. I bought seeds from this online store and found the price very fair.

You can also look into local food co-ops that provide organic and non GMO food. I am able to order things like organic cornmeal and popcorn, and pick up my order once a month.

I know this may take some adjustment for some of us, just as much as it took to start eating kosher. So let’s offer support and solutions to each other as we step out in obedience.

Resources

The following resources and websites may be of help to you. Please feel free to share any more resources that you feel would help others to be more obedient. 🙂

• Granny’s Heirloom Seeds
• The Non GMO Project
• Food Matters facebook page
• Non GMO shopper’s guide
• GMO articles by Dr. Mercola
• Global GMO distribution map

Again, this is a short list, and if you know of websites, videos, books, etc. that would be helpful to others, please share them in the comments. Thanks for your help, and YHVH help us as we seek to follow Him in an increasingly sinful world.